Friendly Match 
Wales 3-0 Scotland
Sunday, 26th March 2023 
Pinatar Arena, Spain   

A much-changed Scotland side fall to defeat against Wales in their latest preparation match ahead of the qualifiers which begin later in the year.

Scorers   

Wales 3: Farrell 28', Low 40', Thomas 51' 

Scotland 0:  

Team News  

Azeem Abdulai and Cole McKinnon made their first starts for the Under-21s, while Connor Smith, Lewis Neilson and Adam Devine all came into the starting lineup. 

As it happened    

It was a cagey start for both sides, with Scotland’s high pressing limiting Wales’ opportunities.

Though half an hour in Scotland’s high line was exploited as a clipped ball over the top met the run of Welsh winger Josh Farrell.

Farrell utilised his speed to enter the Scotland penalty area and then cleverly cut inside before unleashing a shot, which beat Cieran Slicker with the aid of a deflection.

Wales continued to create chances, enjoying the majority of possession and their lead was doubled five minutes before half time. Defender Joe Low rose highest from a corner as his header at the front post gave Wales a 2-0 lead going into the break.   

Scotland came back out into the second half with three changes though it was Wales who got the next goal. Rubin Colwill was played down the left hand side and delivered a lovely outside of the boot pass across the face of goal which was met by Josh Thomas who gladly side footed it home.   

Scotland substitute Dickson-Peters almost scored immediately, with his back to goal he showed a great display of strength rolling the Welsh centre-half to create space for a shot which was well blocked by the Welsh keeper. 

Debutant Jack Newman was called into action on the 70th minute as he got down well to steer Jadon Raymond’s shot behind for a corner.  

Both managers utilised their full squads as they dealt with the searing heat and Scotland enjoyed more of the ball in the game's later stages, though they struggled to muster up any more chances as Wales finished the game the deserved winners. 

Next Up 

After giving opportunities to a number of younger players over the course of this week, Scot Gemmill will be hoping to welcome back the likes of Leon King, Alex Lowry, Ben Doak and Tommy Conway when the Under-21s reconvene in June.  

Scotland start their Euro qualifying campaign with a game against Spain on September 12. 

Match report by Alister Bean  

Scotland line up  

Scotland:  Slicker (Newman 45’), Devine , Morrison, Mebude (Dickson-Peters 52’), Abdulai (Duncan 56’), Mulligan, Smith (Fiorini 45’), McKinnon (Summers 45’), Johnston, Mullen (Adam  76’) 

Unused substitutes: Johnson, Barron